I am always saying I like working with photographers. Partly because, like myself, they are visual storytellers. Secondly, I have always been intrigued with my brother’s definition of a good photographer. He once told me, “a really great photographer is a master of light.” That thought has never left me and that is how I gauge the talent of all the photographers I come across in my profession.

I’m am also in love with film—yes, the analog kind. My dad was an amateur photographer when he was young, but he had a great eye. I would get lost in old photos—my mind making up the stories of the moments that were captured. {My brother seems to have followed in Dad’s footsteps.} I recall us both, as kids, fighting over who was going to eventually own the {now vintage} film enlarger that we used to develop photos in our darkroom {aka the backyard shed}. I won.

photo: hc.tran photography

Wait, where was I… Oh, yes. As a graphic designer, I have worked with many talented photographers and worked with equally amazing photos. My eyes have poured over countless lifestyle, surf, snowboard, vehicle and product photos. Occassionally, I get to work with a wedding photographer and this time I had the pleasure of working with Hung C. Tran of HC.Tran Photography. Hung came to me with a request for letterpress printed business cards. But before printing, I gave his existing abstract lens logo a more polished and refined look.

For Hung, I printed 300 2-sided 2-colored business cards on 220# heavy card stock made from 100% cotton. He was very easy going and so much fun to work with, I can imagine what a photoshoot with him would be like. HC.Tran Photography is located in La Jolla, California. His portfolio can be viewed at http://www.hungctran.com or you can read all about his work on his blog.

Happy New Year! Today is 01022010! A new year. A new decade. A new moon.

Hello 2010. Somehow, New Year’s Eve this year felt more special than usual. New Year’s Eve treated those that cared to look, to an awesome Blue Moon, a rare occurence that happens once every 19 years. Typical Blue Moons actually occur more frequently. It’s the “New Year’s Eve Blue Moon” that only comes around every 19 years or so.

2010 is going to be a great year. I can feel it in my bones. Perhaps my stars and planets are aligning because change is definitely in the air! Here’s to a new year and a new decade full of exciting adventures in design and letterpress. Cheers!

(11:06pm NYE, as seen from my parent’s house in San Diego, CA. Other than a simple crop, this photo is 100% unaltered. Digitally shot, raw, on a Nikon D70, using a 300mm lens, tripod, shutter remote, no flash, and a shutter speed of 1/1000. No retouching magic, filters, hue saturation voodoo, camera tricks or special effects here. Because there’s supposedly no such thing as a “blue” moon, the blue cast is most likely a result of the fast shutter speed… or is it?)

Several weeks ago, I had the opportunity to print up press kit covers for a friend and former coworker, Jennifer Hohner, of D’Lischka, Petite German Pastries. This print run consisted of black ink on Sundance Felt Natural White card stock. Jen supplied the logo and I had a magnesium letterpress die created. The results were simple and sweet, like the cookies themselves. These cookies are actually hand-crafted petite pastries based on a well-kept German family recipe, passed on to her by her Grandma Lischka. Though petite, they sure are mighty D’Lischka!

Photo credits: t-l Hartono Tai, Long Beach Magazine // b-r Jennifer Hohner.